Spare Parts Are Paying Off Big for Bucks

The Milwaukee basketball team is called the Bucks in the dictionary sense of a male animal; especially, a deer or antelope.

But Milwaukee's current collection of Bucks might be better defined in the slang sense of a dollar, and not necessarily a shiny Susan B. Anthony coin or a crisp green George Washington bill.

These Bucks are like a collection of spare change: a bent quarter here, a tarnished dime there, some nicked-up nickels found in the crack of the sofa cushions plus a few, old pennies discovered in a dresser drawer.

Check the dates on these coins: many were minted in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Stack them up and the payoff is an appearance in a National Basketball Association Eastern Conference semifinal series, which continued tonight as the Detroit Pistons took a two-games-to-none lead with a 112-92 victory at the Palace. [ Page 47. ] Emotions in Motion The Bucks advanced to the semifinals with a fifth-game upset victory over the Atlanta Hawks last Sunday, a triumph clinched on the road, without two injured starters, Terry Cummings and Paul Pressey. That victory left Coach Del Harris with tears in his eyes and a lump in his throat.

Cummings, an All-Star forward, remains idle with a strained tendon in his right ankle. Pressey, a versatile guard, has a dislocated right shoulder.

Both are listed as day-to-day and possible participants in Game 3 on Sunday, back home at the new Bradley Center. In the meantime, Milwaukee is relying in large part on a blend of veterans, many acquired from other teams.

Roberts, 28 years old, a former Boston Celtic, is usually a reserve, but played all 48 minutes Wednesday. Knack for Long Jumpers

Jack Sikma, 33, the former Seattle SuperSonic, has rejuvenated his career by developing a knack for hitting jumpers from 3-point range.

Paul Mokeski, 32, a backup center in his 10th season, uses his time on the bench to plan for a career as an N.B.A. assistant coach and his time on the court to score important points at important times.

Ricky Pierce, 29, the first guard off the bench, continues to punish the Pistons for not appreciating him seven years ago as Detroit's first-round draft choice. He scored 25 points Wednesday, before missing two crucial free throws in the final minute.

Sidney Moncrief, 31 and wearing down from injuries, is no longer a regular starting guard. But he has reassumed that role in the absence of Pressey.

An error has occurred. Please try again later.

You are already subscribed to this email.

Rickey Green, 34, a well-traveled guard waived by the expansion Charlotte Hornets in February, played 16 minutes Wednesday when the Bucks, who appeared tired, squandered a late lead and lost, 85-80. Jay Humphries, 26, starting at guard, was acquired from Phoenix in 1988. Larry Krystkowiak, 24, starting at forward, came from San Antonio in 1987. Experience and Poise

Only Moncrief and Randy Breuer, 28, have played their entire careers with Milwaukee. The Bucks are dressing just 10 men these days, but most of them have playoff experience and a certain poise that comes with veteran status.

''We knew deep in our hearts that we could play playoff basketball with anybody in the league,'' Mokeski told a Milwaukee reporter after the Bucks eliminated Atlanta.

''We have guys who know what it takes to stick with a game plan,'' Green said. ''And we don't mind being the underdog. Sometimes, that is to your advantage. You know you've got something to prove.''

The word underdog is an understatement. The Pistons finished the regular season at 63-19, the best record in the N.B.A. The Bucks were eighth, at 49-33.

The Bucks lost 14 of their final 23 games. And until they beat Atlanta in the three of five in the opening round of the playoffs, the Bucks were 0-6 against the Hawks.

Detroit fans, some of whom expect their team to win the league championship, seem to take the Bucks as a warmup act. The Meaning of Zero

''Being an underdog means zero,'' Moncrief said. ''We are motivated by the fact that we are playing the best team in professional basketball.'' Although Detroit tends to run a bit more than Milwaukee does and has a deeper bench, the teams' styles are similar.

''It's like looking in a mirror,'' said Joe Dumars, the Detroit guard. ''They are so smart.''

On offense, the Bucks are a patterned, patient team that likes to use the shot clock and pass the ball in halfcourt sets. They don't mind leading their defenders into collisions on screens. (Isiah Thomas of Detroit crashed to the floor Wednesday after a bump with 7-foot Sikma.) On defense, the Bucks switch well and double-team when appropriate. Harris, noting the Pistons' Bad Boys nickname, said the series would be the Good Boys against the Bad Boys. But Milwaukee doesn't shy from bodily contact.

''They hammer you pretty good,'' said Chuck Daly, the Detroit coach.

''You'd better get used to it,'' Harris said. '' This is going to be rough, tough, basketball.''

We are continually improving the quality of our text archives. Please send feedback, error reports,
and suggestions to archive_feedback@nytimes.com.

A version of this article appears in print on May 13, 1989, on Page 1001045 of the National edition with the headline: Spare Parts Are Paying Off Big for Bucks. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe